A different approach to preventing strings from binding in the nut

[hellion102792]

So I got an email back from Jim at Noll Guitars in RI today. I asked him how much for a pickup swap (GFS Mean 90 to replace 490T) and if they could widen the nut slots of my SG because my D, G, and B tend to bind, and his reply read:

 

Andrew' date='

Replacing the pickup will cost you $25.00. The problem with the nut may be that the slots are cut incorrectly for the guage of strings you are using. Graphite will not help in this situation. we can take a look at it and make some suggestions. Also try rubbing a bar of soap across the nut slots when you change your strings. It does wonders for most tuning problems. Also old strings get rusty and bind up in the nut. even if the rust is not visible or you wipe the strings carefully, microscopic pits and rust particles on the string cause a great deal of friction. hope I have answered your questions,

Jim [/quote']

 

Has anyone ever heard of using soap for the slots? I've tried graphite, but it doesn't work probably for the reasons he gave me (I use 11's btw). I'll definitely take their word for it, these guys have been in business for years and judging by the guestbook on their site do some pretty impressive work. Plus it'll probably make my SG smell pretty good :D/

[guitar_randy]

never hear of using soap.I have had graphite work,but doesn't last real long and needs it again.I wondered about something like drop of mineral oil ,but i suppose that sounds as off the wall as soap

[KSG_Standard]

I haven't used soap, but I have friends who do/have and it seems to work...shouldn't hurt anything. I've never had any problems with the strings binding in the nut, but I only use 10's on my gibbys and 9's on my fenders.

[AXE®]

All natural, non scented,no silicone or distilates. Been using it for ever...

 

Search my posts never a nut issue... ever.

 

[Homz]

Use antibacterial soap just in case your bass player decides he wants to play your LP.

[MikeRom]

Seems to be seriously inconvenient when compared to using pencil graphite.

[RichCI]

I've never heard of using soap before but it seems to me it should work well enough as it's a lubricant. If nothing else, it should help your clean tone.

[elantric]

This is old stuff - We used Ivory Soap - rubbed twice in the nut prior to installing new strings. I first heard of this from Mike McGuire when I was employed as Service Manager at Valley Arts in 1980 - it works.

 

www.myspace.com/elantric

[Murph]

Is soap made from dead pigs?

 

I love bacon........

 

99 and 44/100.

 

Yummmmmmmm.

 

Murph.

[hellion102792]

Mmm yeah bacon is pretty good. So yeah I'll definetely try either Cocoa butter or soap next string change, I'll ask them either to do it after they put in my pickup or just to leave off the strings and I'll do it when it get home.